Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

UNIT 1

Child and Young Person Development

Task 1. Explain the sequence and rate of each aspect of development from birth – 19 years.



Children’s development is continuous and can be measured in a number of different ways. 

Although all children will develop at different rates and in different ways, the sequence in which they develop will be roughly the same as they need to have developed one skill, for example walking, before they move on to develop another such as running and jumping.

Development is often referred to on a timeline and is broken down in ages. As development is more rapid in early years the milestones start by being quite close together before becoming further apart as baby becomes a child and then a young adult.

The aspects of development that children are measured on are physical, language, social and emotional, and intellect. It is important to remember that all areas of development are equally as important as each other, and all impact on one another.

Physical development is usually very rapid early on in the child’s development. Within weeks of being born a baby will start to smile and respond to sounds and environments around them. By 6 months as their muscles begin to develop they will reach for and hold objects which they will also put into their mouths. 

By one year old they are beginning to crawl or shuffle, pulling or pushing on furniture to stand and then cruise using furniture or adult for support. Sitting has progressed to unaided and they are rolling from their front to their back.
They are beginning to be inquisitive with objects, passing them between hands, handling them in different ways and looking for things that are hiding. Their hand to eye co-ordination improves as items are passed from hand to hand. Their first teeth may start to appear and solid foods may start to be introduced.

Between one and two years walking will begin and toys will start to be pulled/pushed along whilst walking. Objects will be picked up and...